By skyforbes 
+ Analgesic
Eugenol, present in damiana, has been shown to regulate GABAA receptors [7]. GABAA receptors play a role in the modulation of various activities in the CNS. These results suggest a mechanism of action for damiana’s effect on various CNS disorders, especially pain.
+ Antiaromatase
The flavonoids acacetin and pinocembrin contained in T. diffusa were shown to be weakly aromatase inhibitors [3]. Aromatase is an enzyme that synthesizes estrogen. Therefore, aromatase inhibition is one method of combating both breasts and ovarian cancer in females.
+ Antibacterial
A study investigating the effects of Turnera ulmifolia (a similar species with a similar chemical makeup to Turnera diffusa and Turnera aphrodisiaca) investigated the effects on MRSA (Multidrug resistant methicillin Staphylococcus aureus).
This study stated that “the results obtained indicate that Turnera ulmifolia — and broadly Turneraceae — could serve as a source of plant-derived natural products with antibiotic resistance-modifying activity to be used against multi-drug resistant bacteria as MRSA strains acquired from hospital and community” [4].
These findings are significant in a time where bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing at an alarming rate.
The overuse of antibiotics in hospital settings are likely a major cause of this adaptive resistance.
Amino-glycosides are potent antibacterial chemicals that attack the ribosomes of bacteria to destroy them.
Bacteria such as MRSA have developed efflux pumps to “pump” the antibiotic out of the cell, as well as the use of enzymes to inactivate this chemical from destroying the cell.
Turnera ulmifolia, and likely other members of the Turneracea family as well as other botanicals, work on eliminating this resistance by modifying and inactivating these efflux pumps [4]. By incorporating what is being coined as “resistance modifying agents” (RMA) to antibiotic formulas, the effectiveness of known antibacterial agents will increase in resistant bacteria. Their use will also significantly lower the ability for bacteria to adapt and resist to these medications in the future.
More study is needed in determining the effectiveness of Turneraceae botanicals, as well as other possible RMAs to improve our ability to fight drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA in a time where this is becoming a very serious global health issue.
+ Antifungal
Eugenol, one of the most well-known components of Turnera spp. Has been shown to produce a wide range of antimicrobial effects, including against fungi. It’s active against many wood-decaying fungi, plant pathogen fungi, and human pathogenic fungi as well. These actions have been reported to its ability to disrupt the cell walls of both fungi and bacteria [9].
+ Anxiolytic
Damiana has long been used with CNS disorders. Researchers out of India were able to extract and isolate the known anxiolytic compound apigenin from Turnera aphrodisiaca. These researchers suggested this constituent be the bioactive marker towards ensuring effectiveness with this botanical [6].
Damiana can also be smoked to achieve a tranquilizing and slightly euphoric sensation. Many use this herb in this way to manage low levels of stress/anxiety, or acute stress from a long day.
+ Aphrodisiac
Damiana has a long history of use as an aphrodisiac. It’s been shown to produce a significant improvement in the sexual function of impotent rats in a study done in Italy.
The study concluded that “[damiana] may act by increasing central noradrenergic and dopaminergic tone, and possibly (indirectly) oxytocinergic transmission” 1.
Other mechanisms include induced relaxation of the corpus cavernosum [11] and the suggested action that the volatile oil may irritate the urethral mucous membranes [10].